21st Century Information Fluency

Website Evaluation Tutorials

Alexander, Jan. and Tate, Marsha Ann. Evaluating Web Resources [Website]. 25 July 2001.[cited 8 December 2002]. Available from Internet: <http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/webeval.htm>.

Alexander and Tate offer a number of checklists for different kinds of websites. They offer advice for reviewing everything from personal websites to news sites and advocacy websites. Extensive links to example websites and several PowerPoint presentations are available.

Barker, Joe. Evaluating Web Pages: Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial [Online Journal]. Berkeley (CA): Regents of the University of California, 1996-2004- [cited 23 January 2004]. Available from Internet: < http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html >.

Here's another fine tutorial by master librarian Joe Barker of the University of California, Berkeley. This tutorial offers 5 tips for evaluating a website. Each tip is explained in depth. This is an exceptional resource.

CyberSmart! in The CyberSmart! School Program, [Website]. : n.d. [cited 13 January 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.cybersmartcurriculum.org/home/>.

This is a useful site for teaching children how to use the Internet effectively and safely. It will also help them to learn how to evaluate and cite the web sites they use. This free professionally developed Internet curriculum from McMillian / McGraw Hill is designed for grades K-8. The materials include lesson plans, teacher support materials, and an ISTE NETS alignment document.

Evaluation of Web Sites [Website]. Canton, Illinois: ISLMA - Illinois School Library Media Association: n.d. [cited 24 January 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.islma.org/resources.htm#website>.

The Illinois School Library Media Association offers five key components of a valuable web site: authority, accuracy, objectivity, coverage, and currency.

Great Sites Selection Criteria: How to Tell if You Are Looking at a Great Web Site in The American Library Association , [Website]. : ALSC Children and Technology Committee: 1997 [cited 24 January 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/criteria.html>.

The American Library Association provides selection criteria for 'Great Sites'. This document recommends four evaluation points: authorship/sponsorship, purpose, design/stability, and content.

Harris, Robert. Virtual Salt: Evaluating Internet Research Sources [Website]. 17 November 1997 [cited 24 January 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm>.

Robert Harris' Evaluating Internet Research Sources includes the CARS four step checklist: credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, and support.

Joseph, Linda C. The Adventures of CyberBee: Evaluation Guide [Website]. WWW CyberGuide: 1 August 2002 [cited 24 January 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.cyberbee.com/guides.html>.

Kapoun, Jim. Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation [Article]. 25-Jan-2000. [cited 23 October, 2002]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.ala.org/acrl/undwebev.html>.

The Ithaca College Library provides six steps to evaluating a web page. Basic questions are written for beginners. Explanations are more detailed.

QUICK: Quality Information Checklist [Website]. United Kingdom: 30 July 2001 [cited 12 January 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.quick.org.uk/>.

QUICK - This site provides an 8-step evaluation guide and online quiz. The animated graphics and approachable reading level make it suitable for elementary and middle school students.

Schrock, Kathy. Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: Teacher Helpers: Critical Evaluation Information [Website]. : 1995-2003 [cited 12 January 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/eval.html>.

Kathy Schrock is perhaps the best known 'cybrarian' in the world. Here comprehensive site at Discovery.com contains continually updated links for a variety of web resources. Schrock's subject index of critical evaluation information is a top choice for classroom use.

The Ten C's for Evaluating Internet Content in McIntyre Library, [Website]. : University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: 28 June 2002 [cited 24 January 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.uwec.edu/library/Guides/tencs.html>.

Stanford Guidelines for Web Credibility. Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab. 9 May 2008 <http://credibility.stanford.edu/guidelines/index.html>.

10 guidelines for building the credibility of a web site. These guidelines are based on three years of research that included over 4,500 people. May be useful for investigating the credibility of websites.